So how did/does "Bebop Tango" work in ZPZ's hands, dependent as this composition is on Bruce Fowler or the brassy talent of Bruce Fowler caliber? I'd reckon perhaps Scheila does the solo, but really, it's a drag all the brass parts that Bruce played during the halcyon days would have to be replicated on sax. Sax is usually my least favourite instrument in the standard horn section trio, unless played by folks like Bunk Gardner or Ian Underwood, of course. Are truly monster trombonists really so hard to come by? That Ben Thomas guy anyway seems to be the brass equivalent of Napoleon: can play a little (and perhaps is even better than Bob Harris in 1980), but not as complicated as Bruce/Scheila.

_________________Lies are like quicksand, soft and comfortable, but they will swallow us. Truth is like bedrock, hard and uncomfortable, but we can always stand on it

Listening to the recordings of the show. These two songs are performed as one, it appears that someone (perhaps Ben Thomas, but then he's heard playing the trumpet as well for that song) is attempting to imitate Lancelotti for the Lost Episodes-ish "Wonderful Wino", but comes across a bit Brian Johnson-y so they also tear into "Back in Black".

I also think "Be-Bop Tango" came out surprisingly good. Tempo is paced at roughly three fourths of the Roxy version and even the JLP Mothers could play the tune at higher BPM (consult the 73/09/14 Wembley recording), but the overall performance is great! Scheila is really good on sax, come to think of it. She makes me think of all the legendary Zappa sidemen who were able to sightread the Tango, then of course Ben shows he can make some use of the trombone and then...he actually takes the solo and sounds pretty good! Not Bruce Fowler-genius, but serviceable, a bit of conducted improv interjections as well.

Still in two minds about the tango dance contest. Just as I'm hesitant to listen to "Be-Bop Tango" on Roxy beyond the 'bone solo, it does seem that it's not as exciting to listen to mere audio recording of the event. If I was at the gig, I guess I'd probably pull a Ben Watson and declare myself "Eric Dolphy", haha! I'm surprised it is the keyboard guy Chris who channels George, I was assuming the duty would be relegated to Scheila. Is the keyboarder Chris also doing the lead singing on "Teenage Wind"?

I think Ben Thomas is okay. He's caught a lot of flack for "murdering" the Zappa classics, but he does sound competent to my mind and I don't really mind his singing at all. He's probably even better than when he first started out. Perhaps he will also continue to improve as a brass player. So I'm not expecting him to be another Sal Marquez or Bruce Fowler, but then, few brass players match up to them.

_________________Lies are like quicksand, soft and comfortable, but they will swallow us. Truth is like bedrock, hard and uncomfortable, but we can always stand on it

Listening to the recordings of the show. These two songs are performed as one, it appears that someone (perhaps Ben Thomas, but then he's heard playing the trumpet as well for that song) is attempting to imitate Lancelotti for the Lost Episodes-ish "Wonderful Wino", but comes across a bit Brian Johnson-y so they also tear into "Back in Black".

I'm assuming it is one of the crew but they did not announce his name in Milwaukee last night.

Listening to the recordings of the show. These two songs are performed as one, it appears that someone (perhaps Ben Thomas, but then he's heard playing the trumpet as well for that song) is attempting to imitate Lancelotti for the Lost Episodes-ish "Wonderful Wino", but comes across a bit Brian Johnson-y so they also tear into "Back in Black".

I'm assuming it is one of the crew but they did not announce his name in Milwaukee last night.

I'm guessing it was roadie Pete Jones (who sings Debra Kadabra on Out Of Obscurity.).

I was at the Columbus show. Pete Jones did Wonderful Wino / Back in Back.

I've been to 20 plus ZPZ shows. I quit taking hearing protection a long time ago because I've never needed it. This time they added front fill speakers on the stage about 4 feet from where I was in front row. Holy crap! The show was Thursday - it's now Monday and my ears are still ringing. I'm not sure of the level in the rest of the venue, but down front it was literally painful.

Penguin In Bondage Pygmy Twylyte Dummy Up Village Of The Sun Echidna's Arf (Of You) Don't You Ever Wash That Thing? Cheepnis Son Of Orange County More Trouble Every Day Be-Bop Tango (Of the Old Jazzmen's Church)

Penguin In Bondage Pygmy Twylyte Dummy Up Village Of The Sun Echidna's Arf (Of You) Don't You Ever Wash That Thing? Cheepnis Son Of Orange County More Trouble Every Day Be-Bop Tango (Of the Old Jazzmen's Church) Entertainment Tonight (Theme Music)

secret word for the night = Scurfgreat show overall. during one of the early numbers, a young lady actually jumped up on the stage and was dancing around before being lead off by the roadie. She came up to the front of the stage again later in the show and was eventually tossed out after trying to run from security. Duke of Prunes was a nice surprise, Dweezil played the Frank strat to get all the controlled feedback like on Orchestral Favorites.

Penguin In Bondage Pygmy Twylyte Dummy Up Village Of The Sun Echidna's Arf (Of You) Don't You Ever Wash That Thing? Cheepnis Son Of Orange County More Trouble Every Day Be-Bop Tango (Of the Old Jazzmen's Church)

When you hear Muffin Man it appears to signal the end. I hope everyone has as good a time as I do at any DZpZ concert. Though I doubt it! I put eyebrows on their shows...sometimes, when they put me in the mood! Yi-Haw!

Looks like the 10/17 Buffalo show was exactly the same as Glenside, except add Teenage Prostitute in the 2nd set. Fucking killer show. Not one complaint. I'm glad they dropped the AC/DC cover. I'm guessing that cut time off of solos/improvs on the nights it was played.

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